GoPetsLive.com

Complicated social site has some iffy features.

Entertainment Value: High Graphics: Beautiful 3D stuff Playability: Medium to hard Reading Level: Medium Website: http://www.gopetslive.com

Common Sense Note

Parents need to know this social networking site -- with its cute cartoon animals -- looks like it's for younger kids, but with the capability to send someone a personal e-mail, IM a "friend," and chat without a filter, it really should be saved for teens. To play, you have to download a big file (150.5 MB). A demo version is available, but also as a downloadable program (13.8 MB). Kids need to give an ID, password, birth date, gender, and full name to join. Once a member, kids fill out a profile where more optional, yet identifying, information can be entered: religion, occupation, nearest city, high school, etc, but can be kept private. Kids shop for clothing, food, or stuff for their pets to play with. Games are available, but either require a download or purchase with shells (GoPets currency that are earned or purchased with real dollars). Some GoPets products are available for sale, but not heavily advertised.

Families can talk about what type of information is safe to share with others online. At GoPetsLive.com, privacy settings are available in each account profile. Kids and parents can talk about whether they will invite friends to the site, be open to friends of friends, or keep their information and profiles on the private setting. Discussion about how to handle an unwelcome invitation to chat or inappropriate comments may be helpful before entering the site.

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Common Sense Review

Reviewed By: Dana Cotter

Come one, come all to GOPETSLIVE.COM, where pets are created and friends are made. It seems like this site took elements of several existing social networking and virtual world sites. You can buy and sell land (a la Second Life), create a profile page with personal information and communicate with other members (a la MySpace), and adopt a pet and dress it (a la Webkinz). GoPets currency (shells) are earned by participating (or they can be bought with cold hard cash). Members are allowed access to different features and objects based on their "level," which is also determined by the size of their bank account. Members aren't created equally -- there are also 3 more tiers of membership beyond the free level, starting at $3.95 a month. This site is offered in 15 different languages and boasts an icon-based chatting language for those who want to interact with members who speak different languages. Kids can also make new friends by browsing profiles of their friends' friends

There are a couple really cool features on this site worth noting. Kids can purchase certain items with their shell inventory that will actually provide cash to specific charities. GoPets can learn a skill by purchasing a craft: farming, tailoring, cooking, fishing, which with practice will provide more goods. For example, grow apple tree and mix apple with water to make apple juice. Kids may be quickly addicted to the exploring, shopping, and chatting capabilities found here, but with so much going on, this is social networking at its finest -- and most complicated.

If your kids want a social networking site and you want more safety features, try Imbee.com. For a less-addicting (and less complicated) pet virtual world, try MyePets.com.

Reviewed: 02/20/2008

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Content		CS	adults	kids
Content
Sexual Content None. However chatting live is a big draw here and there doesn't seem to be a filter. The discussion boards arenn't moderated: In the Off Topic forum, there was a long post about buying Viagra with links to actually purchase some.
Violence Nothing violent was seen, but with live chat there is some risk of members using inappropriate stuff. There doesn't seem to be a filter to edit violent messages out.
Language Communication seems to be on topic and harmless, but with live chat there is some risk of members using foul language.
Message
	Social Behavior With any social networking site, kids can be blocked or rejected as a "friend" which can be upsetting for some. On the plus side, kids can make friends with people around the world.
	Commercialism Some GoPets goods are for sale, but not heavily advertised. You can buy the site's currency with real cash. There are 3 levels of premium memberships available for a fee.
	Drug/Alcohol/Tobacco
	Educational Value This site is complex in nature. GoPets must be cared for, exploring is done with navigational tools, pets can learn "crafts," and games are edu-tainment at best.